Leg positioning mechanism for folding tables



Oct. 24, .1950 c. F. WEED LEG POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR FOLDING TABLES Filed Feb. 27, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

CHARLES FREEMAN WEED BY MI v M A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 24, 1950 c. F. WEED 2,527,045

LEG POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR FOLDING TABLES Filed Feb. 2'7, 194'? I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CHARLES FREEMAN WEED BY WMV A T TORNEYS.

Oct. 24, 1950 c. F. WEED 2,527,045

LEG POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR FOLDING TABLES Filed Feb. 27, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 3 "'I "HE .2: 50 ]NVENT0R 78 48 CHARLES FREEMAN WEED BY FIG.9.

A T TORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 24, 1950 LEG POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR FOLDING TABLES Charles Freeman Weed, Montclair, N. 3., assignor to Automatic Table 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 27, 1947, Serial No. 731,191

6 Claims.

This invention relates to folding tables and more particularly to a novel construction for holding the legs of such a table firmly in their extended positions when the table is unfolded. The leg-supporting structure of the present invention is particularly useful in connection with the manufacture of light-weight, portable tables such as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,042,326 and is capable of materially increasing the strength and rigidity of such tables although it may also be incorporated in heavier types of tables as well.

Among the principal objectives sought by manufacturers of light-weight, folding tables, such as utility tables, card tables and occasional tables, are freedom of action of the leg-operating mechanism as the legs are folded and unfolded, a desired degree of rigidity when the legs are in unfolded position, and as great a degree of ruggedness as can be obtained within the weight limitations normally imposed on such tables. Of these various objectives, the proper degree of rigidity is perhaps the most difficult to achieve. It should be noted that complete rigidity of the legs with respect to the table top is undesirable. If the legs are completely rigid and the table is subjected to a sudden lateral stress or shock some of the various fittings which connect the leg to the table are likely to be excessively strained and permanently deformed, thus producing play or lost motion in the leg-operating linkages which may cause the table to wobble.

I have found that this difiiculty can be overcome by providing a leg-supporting structure which maintains the table legs firmly in position when they are unfolded, but at the same time is sufliciently flexible to cause the table to offer a resilient resistance to shock and other impressed forces. That is to say, the leg-supporting structure should be of such a character that when the legs are in unfolded position they resiliently resist lateral deflecting forces impressed upon them. In this way undue straining of the leg-operating linkages may be avoided, and the initial rigidity of the table preserved even after the table has been subjected to sudden stresses and relatively rough treatment.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a folding table having improved rigidity and strength. It is another object of the invention to provide a folding table wherein the initial rigidity is more effectively preserved as the table is used. It is another object of the invention to provide a leg-supporting structure for such a table that is adapted to hold the legs firmly in position perpendicular to the top of the table and yet is sufliciently flexible to cause the table to resist laterally impressed forces. It is still another object of the invention to provide a leg-supporting structure for a folding table that is simple in construction. Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereafter. v

The many objects and advantages of the present invention may best be appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a folding table incorporating a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of the table with the legs in extended position;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table with the legs in folded position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 and showing the attachment of the leg link to the leg-actuating shoe;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. l and showing the interaction of one of the leg-actuating shoes and keepers when the legs are in unfolded position;

Fig, 5 is a section taken on the line 5.-5 of Fig. 2 and showing the interconnection of one pair of toggle links and one of the operating lever links;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom plan view of one corner of the table;

Fig. '7 is a section taken on the line 1-'i of Fig. 6 and showing the method of attachment of the hinge base to the table top; Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6 and showing the relationship between one of the leg-actuating shoes and keepers;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6 and showing in elevation the attachment of one of the leg links to a leg and leg-actuating shoe;

Fig. 10 is a detailed section taken on the line I0i0 of Fig. 8 and showing the attachment of the leg-supporting member of the hinge to the leg; and

Fig. 11 is a detailed section taken on the line li-ll of Fig. 9 and showing the manner in which the leg link bears against its stop when the leg is in unfolded position;

Fig. 12 is a detailed section taken on the line I 2--|2 of Fig. 9 and showing the manner in which the leg link is connected to the leg.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the numeral I'U' designates a table top to which the legs. 12 are attached by means of hinges generally designated by the numeral I4. The legs I2 are so hinged that they may be folded into a conventional position parallel with the table top and they are offset with respect to one another so that they will not hit one another as they are folded. The top I is provided with a downwardly extending skirt II (best shown in Fig. 8). Fixed to table top III are a series of rubber bumpers I5 which are so positioned as to intercept the bottoms of the legs I2 as the legs are folded to prevent the legs from striking the leg-actuating mechanism.

The leg-actuating mechanism is of the toggle type, similar to that disclosed in my prior Patent 2,042,326, and comprises an operating lever I6 pivotally mounted at its center at the center of the table top ID. Extending outwardly from a point near the center of the table to two opposite sides of the table and fixed to the table top II) are the tracks I8 and 20 in which the shoes or runners 22 and 24 respectively are slidably mounted. As best shown in Fig. 5, the track 20 is of the channel type and is provided with overhanging portions 26 which serve to hold the shoe 24 in the track. The track I8 and shoe 22 are similar in construction to the track 2|! and shoe 24.

Referring again to Fig. 1, interconnecting the lever I6 and the shoes 22 and 24 respectively are the operating lever links 28 and 35 which are connected at one end to the lever I6 at points spaced from the pivot point of the lever and their other ends are connected to the shoes 22 and 24, respectively. The links 28 and 36 are preferably embossed to provide added strength. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the link 30 may be provided with the embossment 32. Connected to the shoe 22 there are a pair of toggle links 34 and 36 which interconnect the shoe 22 with the shoes 38 and 40, respectively that are slidably mounted in the channel tracks 42 and 44 respectively. In similar manner the shoe 24 is connected by a toggle link 46 with a shoe 48 mounted in the channel track 50 and by a toggle link 52 with a shoe 54 mounted in the channel track 56. The links 34, 36, 46 and 52 are preferably embossed likethe links 28 and 30 to provide added strength.

Each of the shoes 38, 46, 43 and 54 is connected by a leg link to one of the legs and since the four corners of the table are of similar construction, only one corner need be described in detail.

Referring now to Fig. 6, which is an enlarged plan view of one corner of the table, and also to Figs. 4 and 9, the link 46 is pivotally connected to the shoe 48 by means of a rivet 58 which passes through a hole 66 in a raised embossment 62 of the shoe 48. Fixed to the shoe 48 there is an L-shaped member 64 which (see Fig. 3) passes through a slot in the embossment 62 and which has a horizontal portion that is fixed to the underside of the embossment 62. Connected to the vertical portion of the L-shaped member 64 by means of a rivet 66 that passes through a hole 68 in the L-shaped member there is a leg link II! which at its other end is connected to the leg I2. The leg link I0, like the other links described, is suitably embossed to provide added strength.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6, '7 and 9 of the drawings, the leg I2 is attached to the table top Ill by means of the hinge I4 which comprises a base I2 that is fixed to th table top in any suitable manner such as by the screws 14 and is provided with downwardly extending sides T6 in which the roll I8 of the hinge is mounted. As shown in Fig. '7 the hinge base 12 is preferably provided at its points of connection to the table top I 0 with extrusions I5 that fit into countersunk portions of the table top I0 and provide depressions in which the heads of the screws I4 fit. The extrusions I5 ensure proper positioning of the hinge with respect to the table top and proper alignment of the hinge base with respect to the track 50. The tracks I8, 20, 42, 44, and are preferably provided with extrusions similar to the extrusions "I5. In other words all of the parts that are fixed to the table are provided with such extrusions so as to ensure proper relative positioning of the various parts of the mecharusm.

The leg-supporting member of the hinge is fixed to the leg I2 by means of the screws 82. As shown in Fig. 10 the leg-supporting member 89 is provided with an extrusion 8| that extends into the leg and ensures proper relative positioning of the leg-supporting member 80 and th leg I2 in a manner analogous to that in which extrusions 15 position hinge base T2 with respect to table top I0. In order to provide a firm connection between the leg-supporting member 80 and the leg I2 the supporting member extends at least partially around three sides of the leg, as best shown in Fig. 6. That is to say, the legsupportingv member 80 extends completely across the face 84 of leg I2 and partially across the inner face 38 and outer face 85 of the leg I2. At the outer face 86 of leg I2 the member 80 is provided (see Fig. 9) with an ear 90 that extends beyond the center line of the face 66 in such manner as to provide a metal base to which the leg link ID may be connected by means of the screw 89. As shown in Fig. 12 the ear 90 is provided with an extruded flange or collar 9| which fits into a hole in the lower end of the leg link and thus ensures accurate positioning of the le link with respect to the leg I 2. The construction is such that the leg link is pivotally connected to the ear 99 and so is effectively connected to the leg I2 near the center line of the face 86 of the leg.

Embossed on the car 90 there is a small projection or bearing member 92 that i positioned adjacent the leg link III. The projection 92 is so positioned with respect to th link III that when the leg is in its unfolded position, the link 10 (see Fig. 11 as well as Fig. 9) bears against the projection 92 in such manner as to take up any slack that may be present in the pivotal connection between the link III and leg I2.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 8 the hinge base 12 is provided with a shallow housing or keeper 94 into which the end of track 50 extends. As best shown. in Fig. 4, the forward end of the embossment I32 of shoe 48 has a sloping surface 96 which is adapted to cooperate with the keeper 94 of the hinge base I2. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that as the leg I2 reaches its unfolded position, the forward end of shoe 48 passes into the keeper 94 and sloping surface 96 bears against the keeper so that the shoe is firmly wedged in fixed position between the keeper and the track 56. and hence cooperates with the leg link I0 and associated parts to hold the leg I2 firmly in position.

Referring to Fig. 9, the upper end of leg link ID is provided with a projection 98 which, as the leg I2 approaches its unfolded position, bears against the bottom of shoe 48 in such manner as to take up any slack that may be present in the upper pivot of the leg link. In order to take up any slack in the hinge roll I8 of the hinge I4 a flexible pad I 00, preferably made of rubber, is

provided between the top of the leg and the table top. Thus it will be seen that the keeper 94 and sloping surface 96 of shoe 48, the projection 98 of the upper end of link I0, the pad I and the projection .92 on the leg-supporting member 8|] of the hinge cooperate to take up the slack in all of the various joints of the leg-supporting structure and thereby provide an unusually firm and rigid support for the leg I2. 7

The operation of the table is largely apparent from the foregoing description. The position of the parts when the legs are folded is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. lever I6 is rotated clockwise, thus causing, the links 28 and 30 to move the shoes 22 and 24, respectively, outwardly. The toggle links 34 and 36 are spread by movement of shoe 22 and the toggle links 46 and 52 are spread by movement of shoe 24 to cause the shoes 38, 40, 48 and 54 to be moved toward their respective corners of the table. Since each of these shoes is connected by a link such as the leg link Ill with one of the legs I2, this movement of the shoes causes the legs I2 to be unfolded. The toggle links provide a smoothly operating, powerful and effective mechanism for exerting the desired force o the legs to unfold them.

Outward movement of the shoes 22 and '24 by the links 28 and 30 respectively is limited by the stops I92 and I04 respectively which as indicated in Fig. 1 may be screws having heads extending into the channel of tracks I8 and 20 respectively, and which are preferably so positioned that the shoes move the common pivot of each pair of toggle links slightly beyond the line connecting the outer pivot points of that pair of toggle links so that the toggle links are effectively latched in their extended positions. As the shoes 22 and 24 approach the stops H32 and H34, respectively, shoes 38, 40, 48 and 54 are forced under their respective keepers in the bases of the hinges I4 and hence are firmly held against further movement. As pointed out in connection with the description of Figs. 6 and 9, the pad IfllLprojection 93 of link IQ and projection 92 of leg-supporting member 80 cooperate to take up slack in the vari- To unfold the legs, the

ous pivots of the leg-supporting structure and place the parts in tension so that the legoffers a resilient resistance to deflecting forcesj Since the leg-supporting structures of all four legs are similarly constructed, each of the legs I2, as it reaches its unfolded position, is latched and firmly but resiliently held in the desired position perpendicular to the table top II).

It has been found that the keeper and wedgetype shoe construction of the present invention materially improves the rigidity of a folding table in which it is incorporated, especially when it is used in conjunction with the other structural elements described above which eliminates play at the various joints of the leg-supporting structure when the legs are in unfolded position. A table which is provided with the resilient leg-sup porting structure of the present invention is not only strongly resistant to lateral pressures impressed thereon but is also capable of offering a yielding resistance to sudden shocks and strains and is capable of sustaining a relatively heavy load without collapsing.

It may be pointed out further that during ordinary use of a folding table there is a tendency for the moving parts to wear and thus introduce play or lost motion into the leg-operating linkage. The resilient tension of the present legsupporting structure automatically takes up such lost motion and hence when the present structure is used the intial rigidity of the table is preserved top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base effectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof and a leg-supporting member hinged to said base, said base being provided with a shallow recess, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded position with respect tosaid top, a track mounted on said top in a position parallel to said leg when said leg is in folded position, a slidable member slidably mounted in said track and having an end portion adapted to enter said recess in said hinged base and bear resiliently against a portion of said base, a link connecting said slidable member and said leg-supporting member and means for sliding said slidable member to fold or unfold said leg, the length of said link being such that when said leg is in unfolded position said end portion of'said slidable member enters said recess and bears resiliently against said hinge base to prevent movement of said slidable member perpendicular to said track and hold said leg firmly in its extended position with respect to said top.

2. In a folding'table, in combination, a table top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base effectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof and a leg-supporting member hinged to said base, said base being provided with a shallow recess, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded position with respect to said top, a track mounted on said top in a position parallel to said leg when saidleg is in folded position, a slidable member slidably mounted in said track, said slidable member having a raised boss adapted to bear against a wall of said recess when said slidable member reaches said hinge base, a link connecting said slidable member and said legsupporting member and means for sliding said slidable member to fold and unfold said leg, the length of said link being such that when said leg is in unfolded position a portion of said slidable member enters said recess and said boss bears resiliently against said hinge base to prevent movement of said slidable member perpendicular to said track and hold said leg firmly in its unfolded position with respect to said top.

3. In a folding table, in combination, a table top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base effectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof and a leg-supporting member hinged to said base, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded position with respect to said top, a track mounted on said top in a position parallel to said leg when said leg is in folded position, said track extending within the margin of said hinge base to form therewith a recess, a slidable member having an end portion adapted to enter said recess when said slidable member reaches said hinge base, a link connecting said slidable member and said leg-supporting member and means for sliding said slidable member to fold and un- .fold said leg, the length of said link being such that when said leg is in unfolded position said end portion of said slidable member enters said recess and bears resiliently against said hinge base to prevent movement of said slidable member perpendicular to said track and hold said leg firmly in its unfolded position with respect to said top.

4. In a folding table, in combination, a table top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base effectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof anda leg-supporting member hinged to said base, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded position with respect to said top, a track mounted on said top in a position parallel to said leg when said leg is in folded position, a slidable member slidably mounted in said track, alink connecting said slidable member and said le -supporting member and means for sliding said slidablemember to fold and unfold said leg, said leg-supporting member being provided with a rigid bearing member adjacent said link and so positioned with respect to said leg that when said leg is in unfolded position said bearing member bears against said link at a point between the points of connection of said link to said slidable member and leg-supporting member but close to the point of connection of said link and said legsupporting member, thereby eliminating play in said link at its point of connection to said legsupporting member.

,5. In a folding table, in combination, a table top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base effectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof and a leg-supporting member hinged to said base, said base being provided with a shallow recess, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded posi tion with respect to said top, a track mounted on said top in .a position parallel to said leg when said leg is in folded position, a slidable member slidably mounted insaid track and having an end portion adapted to enter said recess when said slidable member reaches said hinge base, a link connecting said slidable member and said leg-supporting member, said link being provided at its end adjacent said slidable member with a projection adapted when said leg is in unfolded position to bear against said slidable member, said leg-supporting member being provided with a bearing member adjacent said link and so positioned with respect to said link that when said leg is in unfolded position said bearing member bears against said link at ,a point between the points of connection of said link to said slidable member and leg-supporting memher but close to the point of connection of said link and leg-supporting member, thereby eliminating play .in said link at its point of connection with said leg-supporting member, a resilient pad interposed between said table top and the top of said leg to exert a resilient force against said top of said leg when said leg is in unfolded position and thereby eliminate play in said hinge, and means for sliding said slidable member to fold and unfold said leg, and, when said leg is in unfolded position, to force said end portion .of said slidable member into said recess, said projection against said slidable member, said link against said bearing member, and said leg against said resilient pad to hold said leg firmly in its unfolded position with respect to said top.

6. In a folding table, in combination, a table top, a leg-supporting hinge comprising a base eifectively fixed to said top near a corner thereof and a leg-supporting member hinged to said base, a leg fixed to said leg-supporting member for swinging movement to folded or unfolded position with respect to said top, a track mounted on said top in a position parallel to said leg when said leg is .in folded position, a housing effectively secured to said top and extending over the end of said track adjacent to said leg, a slidable member slidably mounted in said track and having an end portion adapted to enter said housing and bear resiliently against the portion of said housing overlying said track, a link connecting said slidable member and said leg-supporting member and means for sliding said slidable member to fold or unfold said leg, the length of said link being such that when said leg is in unfolded position said end portion of said slidable member bears resiliently against said housing to prevent movement of said slidable member perpendicular to said track .and hold said leg firmly in its extended .position with respect to said top.

CHARLES FREEMAN VIEED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 161,304 Waggoner Mar. 23, 1875 918,087 .Plantinga Apr. 13, 1909 1,763,671 Rastetter June 17, 1930 1,802,279 Schmitt Apr. 21, 1931 1,854,887 Cowdin Apr. 19, 1932 2,024,431 Corduan Dec. 17, 1935 2,026,995 Myers Jan. 7, 1936 2,042,326 Weed May 26, 1936 

